A Personal Testimony

by Peter and Alison Foo

Five years! Yes, five years have passed. I finally struggled through this part-time course, the Bachelor of Engineering [Mech.] Degree from Nanyang Technological University. Recollecting the past, it seemed like things just happened yesterday. During this period, I should say it was not a smooth road to travel without God’s strength and grace. Praise God for that!

I remember that in year 1996, when I attended the admission presentation at NTU for the Pioneer Batch of Part-time for Bachelor Engineering Degree, the number of people applying for this course awed me. Despite the overwhelming response, I was selected, which was something I had not expected. I believe that it was God’s will for me. Thank God that He also granted me the sponsorship from my company.

It had been a long time since I left school and to go back to the books again which was quite a tough thing to do. The first year was very difficult for me because I had lost touch with the mathematics subject, which I barely passed. Furthermore, I was in the midst of preparation for my marriage during the first semester of my studies. Coping with the studies plus my job workload and arrangement for my marriage was quite a hassle.

The year 1997 was a year of uncertainty was there was recession. Alison was not happy with her job and was planning to quit and there I was preparing for the course which I really did not have confidence in. Thank God! It was a blessing in disguise. God made it in such a way that there were not many overseas projects at my work place. As such, I was able to attend classes and fully concentrate on the course.

God had given us the grace to overcome a series of trials which occurred in 1998. It was this year that I was infected with shingles exactly on the eve of Chinese New Year. Two months later, my old car was badly damaged by a lorry at a traffic light junction. After the repair, this old car was stolen for a joy ride when we were at East Coast Parkway and returned a few hours later. A few weeks later, our rented house was burgled. A month later, the contractor for our new home disappeared without completing the renovation works. During this period, we visited the police station very often which kept us very busy. We did not understand why God allowed this to happen to us. It was during this time that we really relied on God for strength to cope with all these problems.

Looking back, we must thank God for the trials that we had gone through. Firstly, when I got shingles, I had a two weeks rest at home where I could prepare myself for the course. Secondly, thought the old car was damaged in the accident, no one was hurt. Thirdly, our car was safely returned to us after the “disappearing act”. Fourthly, the losses incurred due to the so-called “half-done” job on my new house weren’t that much. Fifthly, Alison quit her job and found a new job immediately. Praise God!

Finally, my course is over! I am waiting for the convocation and if God willing, I would like to continue with my Master Degree course which will last another 2 years. Thank God for His guidance and help during these 5 years and also thank Pastor John and the church for their continuous prayers.

(Christ Our Sepherd, Church Anniversary Magazine 7)